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cfiace
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Hug a Cloud
from cfiace
wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago
What has enthralled me about flying IFR, besides the professionalism and feeling part of a large system, is the breath taking scenery you can encounter. Two flights come to mind. The first was a round robin proficiency for a club member from Reid Hillview to Sacramento Metro. Returning from KSMF at 4000 we were in solid cloud. All of a sudden, over Suisun Bay, the cloud just stopped and we were in the clear. Looking around in awe, we saw the cloud on the north side paralleled the bay from the ground to about 6000 ft like god cut it with a knife and lifted the cloud away (I'm not religious btw) and did the same on the south side (about 2 miles apart) and continued clear for 20 miles east and west. The second, some years later was a night twr-twr from Reid to Oakland with my wife and ex-student. Normally (95%of the time) the route is to the east V334 to Sunol, ILS 27R to Oakland. That night was vectors to the west of San Francisco with a VOR 9R to Oakland. Over Sutro Tower in west of San Francisco we broke out of solid cloud over and saw San Francisco lit in all its glory with the Transamerica Pyramid pointing skyward and the Bay Bridge highlighting the tower in the back ground, both framed by cloud.
Unfortunately, most of these unparalleled experiences are only stored in my memory because I didn’t carry a camera. I make it a habit to carry a camera now.
A Half Million Stupid Pilots
from cfiace
wrote 2 years 25 weeks ago
With the advent of GPS, I’ve noticed many pilots default their planning, execution and judgment to GPS, whether handheld, panel mount or glass cockpit. From a student pilot planning her cross-country with a handheld (her Sectional chart unmarked in the flight bag), to pilots flying Cirrus in winter, at night, in IMC over the Sierras unconsciously expecting the PFD/MFD and CAPS to save their bacon, systems are substituting for judgment and skill. When you’ve got this extended capability and support, what could go wrong? Granted it’s a psychological problem, not GPS. A new study at McGill U. has shown the effect of GPS on drivers and the way they orient themselves with and without the use of GPS (url below). Further study needs to be done on this effect in flight training and flying and the results incorporated in training/retraining GPS systems to reduce its over reliance by the pilot.
http://news.discovery.com/tech/avid-gps-use-may-hurt-your-memory.html
PS I typed this on MS Word. I’ve used a word processor for over twenty-five years and my spelling ability has gone to hell in a hand basket. Thank the gods for spell check!
The Monster Under the Bed
from cfiace
wrote 2 years 25 weeks ago
My most memorable check ride, indeed the only one I remember was for my CFI 40 years ago. I'd bought an expensive flight bag as a brownie point to the FISDO Inspector (go figure) and though my entire body was shaking (I don't do well with authority figures), managed to present myself at the office. The oral and check ride was lost to the finale of the event. After the air work was done, we headed back to KSJC. The Inspector wanted a straight in overfly to downwind and I managed to comply. Downwind the inspector said he wanted a short field landing from a 180 degree, overhead approach. I'd never heard of a 180 degree overhead approach and my mind started jibbering about my impending doom and whether I could face another check ride with Attila. I finally decided just to do a regular pattern to a short field. Since the Inspector didn't pierce my jugular with his fangs as I approached short final, I hoped I'd done whatever the hell it was he wanted. We taxied to the tie down in silence, I tied the plane down and followed the Inspector to his office. We were having a "nice" chat as he filled out the paper work for issuance of my CFI. Suddenly he frowned, stood up, took my temporary certificate and left the office. I was non plussed and waited nervously for his return. About ten minutes later he returned and sat down. He explained that if it were up to him, he would give me a pink slip for a response to question he'd asked as he signed my temp., but his boss stated that as he'd signed the certificate, he'd issued it and could not unilaterally revoke it. After an additional tongue lashing I left with my tail between my legs and a certificate in hand. Even now, after a several successful years as a CFI and Chief Flight Instructor and a rocky relationship with Inspectors (never ran into a FAA type with a sense of humor like Martha Lunken), I still can't remember what the question was. Not only that, I don't even remember my CIFI ride or if I did the CFI/CIFI ride at the same time (that log book was lost).
In 2007 I was at KSNS after a demo flight in a Sport aircraft and spotted the same Inspector talking to my demo pilot. I got up my nerve walked over to him and told him he'd given me my check ride in 1970 and shook his hand. He immediately apologized for his behavior (I hadn't mentioned my trauma to him). I guess I wasn't the only one to have a rough time under his strict eye and felt somewhat vindicated, abate many years later.
Happy flying
Incentives
from cfiace
wrote 2 years 17 weeks ago
I'd describe General Aviations approach to increasing the pilot population the same way that blind six blind men would attempt to describe an elephant ; it's perspective and piece meal. GAMA et al have a massive audience at air shows and races, yet do no effective to market their product to the masses, let alone promote flight training. Even AOPA appears to adopt a not invented here attitude I'd expect to only see at the FAA. I've noticed during the last two years the AOPA/Government process have reduced member inputs (including CFI's) in favor of in house (perspective) expertise.
Without an industry wide fact finding mission and charter to find better ways to market GA, training and an infrastructure for traveling pilots to maximize the benefits of private flying, the light aircraft industry and flight training are doomed to a slow death.
Is It Permissible to Use a VFR-only GPS While Flying IFR?
from cfiace
wrote 2 years 22 weeks ago
While ATC may care less on how you navigate a direct-to, and could assume it doable using VOR navigation, with a wink and a nod, I'm not so sanguine over the enforcement section of the FAA. I will always remember the treatment Bob Hover received at their hands and how promotions were handed around afterward. 91.13 — Careless or reckless operation, thank you very much. Until it's delineated in their procedures, proceed at your own risk.
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